ORONO – Joel Barrett graduated from Brewer High School in 2002 excited about the possibility of playing baseball at the University of Maine. Still, he realized it wouldn’t be easy.

After a year working out behind the scenes as a redshirt with the Black Bears, Barrett has emerged as the team’s leading hitter heading into this weekend’s America East series against Stony Brook at Mahaney Diamond.

Barrett, who has started 24 of the Bears’ 41 games, boasts a .385 batting average that ranks fourth in the conference. He is fifth on the team with 26 runs batted in.

“You kind of have to stay humble about it and realize that getting to the playoffs is really what you’re playing for,” said Barrett, UMaine’s first baseman. “It just feels good right now to contribute to the team.”

Barrett’s formula for success has been relatively simple: Staying “small.”

Having arrived at UMaine at 235 pounds, the 6-foot-1 Barrett first worked his way into better shape. Despite sitting out, he dedicated himself to improving last year.

“Some guys realize they’ve got some time to get better, without the anxiety of whether they’re going to be in the lineup, and really get better,” Kostacopoulos said. “That’s what Joel has done.”

Barrett admitted he needed the redshirt year to make the transition to Division I ball.

“I wasn’t ready to come in and play,” he said. “It was really good learning from coach Kosty, learning things that I never would have even dreamed about learning.”

Not only did he trim down to a rugged 220 pounds, he has cut down on his swing to become a better hitter. Barrett was a dead-pull power hitter in high school, but has been successful with Kostacopoulos’ philosophy of trying to hit the ball up the middle and the opposite way.

“Just staying ‘small’ and not trying to be overanxious, I guess that has been my motto this year,” said Barrett, who has four doubles and a triple among his 40 hits. “We need to realize that we need to get on base and string four or five hits together and score runs that way and that’s how we’re going to win and succeed.”

Barrett also has proven himself an outstanding fielder. He has committed only one error in 147 chances and ranks sixth in America East in fielding percentage (.993).

Barrett is batting .413 since becoming a full-time starter 18 games ago. He has helped UMaine settle into a regular, productive lineup and also gave the Bears a steady first baseman.

“Joel hung in there and simply won the job,” Kostacopoulos said.

That enabled Kostacopoulos to move Greg Creek from first to third and utilize Matt McGraw, a catcher by trade, as the designated hitter rather than in the field.

“Individually, he’s done some very good things, but the biggest impact is what he has done for our team,” Kostacopoulos said. “His emergence has made us better at three positions.”

Barrett is trying to enjoy the experience without putting too much pressure on himself.

“I’m very thankful for where I am and very proud to be representing the University of Maine, being from eastern Maine,” Barrett said.

Kostacopoulos is confident Barrett will continue to improve and contribute at UMaine.

“He’s extremely coachable and he understands methodology,” Kostacopoulos said. “He understands what the true goal is and that’s why I think he’s going to be even better down the road.”